May power generation deliveries rose more than 20%
U.S. net exporter of NatGas: 3 billion cubic feet per day of LNG shipped to 15 countries in May
May 2018 marked a noticeable increase in dry natural gas production in the United States. The average daily rate of dry natural gas production for May was the highest for any month since EIA began tracking monthly dry production in 1973.
The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in May 2018 was 2,491 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 80.4 Bcf/day. This level was 8.6 Bcf/day (12.0%) higher than the May 2017 level of 71.8 Bcf/day.
The predicted natural gas consumption level in May 2018 was 2,044 Bcf, or 65.9 Bcf/day. This level was 7.8% (4.8 Bcf/day) higher than the 1,896 Bcf consumed in May 2017.
Consumption dramatically increased in for industrial deliveries (+ 5.3%) and electrical power deliveries (+ 20.5%).
Industrial deliveries were the highest for the month of May since EIA began using the current definitions for consuming sectors in 2001. May was the 13th month in a row that industrial deliveries set a new high for the given month.
Electric power deliveries were the highest for the month since 2001, when EIA began using the current definitions for consuming sectors.
Natural gas net imports (imports minus exports) were minus 43 Bcf, or minus 1.4 Bcf/day, in May 2018, making the United States a net exporter.
Total imports were 7.4 Bcf/day, a decrease of 6.1% from the 7.9 Bcf/day in May 2017. Total exports were 8.8 Bcf/day, an increase of 7.5% from the 8.2 Bcf/day in May 2017. The increase in exports continues to be driven by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG exports in May 2018 were 55.7% higher than in May 2017.
In May 2018, the United States exported 3.1 Bcf/day of LNG to 15 countries.
The current monthly production estimates are based on data from the EIA’s Monthly Crude Oil, Lease Condensate, and Natural Gas Production Report.
